VIDEO | AUDIO |
Anchor on Cam | Throughout the state of Florida, many teachers are breathing a sigh of relief because of Charlie Crist’s veto to Senate Bill 6. So how would this have affected teachers if it did pass? Alexis Morgado has the story. |
VO: ALEXIS Morgado WS of Seminole and Dixie Hollins High Schools and Seminole Elementary | Teachers in Pinellas County and the state of Florida have good reason to be happy. Senate Bill 6 was vetoed by Charlie Crist on April 15, and now their salaries and retirement benefits will not be determined by how well children score on the FCAT in schools. |
MS of Donna Blackburn | Donna Blackburn is a fourth grade teacher at Seminole Elementary in Seminole, Florida. She says that when the bill first introduced, her first reaction was anger. |
SOT: DONNA BLACKBURN | BEING A TEACHER FOR 25 YEARS AND KNOWING HOW THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN AND BEING CLOSE TO RETIREMENT, THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS IN THE BILL THAT REALLY UPSET ME QUITE A BIT. WE CAN’T RELY ON ONE TEST TO BASE ON HOW WELL OUR STUDENTS ARE DOING. |
MS of Donna Blackburn and moving shot of Alexis | She says that she voiced her opposition of the bill by writing letters to her congressmen, explaining her teaching background and expressing how this bill was affecting her. Of course her reaction immediately changed when she heard that the bill was vetoed by Governor Crist |
SOT: DONNA BLACKBURN | WHEN IT WAS VETOED, I WAS OVERJOYED. THERE WERE SCREAMS THROUGHOUT THE CAMPUS BECAUSE IT MADE US FEEL LIKE WE ARE PROFESSIONALS. HE [CRIST] DID LISTEN TO US AND HE UNDERSTANDS EDUCATION IN A WHOLE. |
MS of Jonathon Crouch | Like Donna, many students who are planning to be teachers feel the same sympathies. Jonathan Crouch is a senior at Florida State University and planning on being a math teacher after he graduates. |
SOT: JONATHON CROUCH | WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS BILL, I THOUGHT ABOUT TEACHING OUT OF STATE. NOW THAT IT HAS BEEN VETOED, I WILL BE STAYING HERE A LITTLE LONGER |
MS of Alexis Morgado | Now this does not mean that the bill is dead. It will go back to the Florida Senate and House of Representatives to have revisions placed before it goes for approval again. Reporting from Seminole, I’m Alexis Morgado with Richardson News Media 6. |
Story/Photos by Brad and Alexis
